Section 25: Miscellaneous Signs and Indicators
(Page 3 of 3)
The Class 465 'Networker' electric multiple units were introduced on the Southern Region from 1992 but were prohibited from running over certain routes. A sign was erected at the point beyond which these trains must not proceed, bearing a red diagonal cross within a blue border, at the top of which was the legend "Networker" in white [25.38]. Similar signs applicable to Class 373 (Eurostar) trains were identified by the legend "TMST" (for "Transmanche Super Train") in yellow, and the red cross was on a yellow background [25.39]. Since being adopted as a standard sign (with a white background and lettering) for use across the whole network, other varieties have appeared with alternative legends such as "electric trains", to denote prohibitions to specific types of trains.
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[25.38] Train Class Specific 'No Entry' Sign (e.g. applicable to Class 465 trains).
Area: Southern Region (subsequently All Areas)
Usage: Medium
Status: Current
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[25.39] Train Class Specific 'No Entry' Sign applicable to Class 373 trains.
Area: Southern Zone
Usage: Low
Status: Historical
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The opening of the line to the Channel Tunnel (from 1993) brought with it the need to identify the boundary between the different infrastructure controllers. At each boundary point, two signs are provided on one post. The top sign shows the identity of the infrastructure controller whose territory begins at the boundary point, and the lower sign, on which a red diagonal cross is superimposed, shows the name of the infrastructure controller whose territory is being exited [25.40]. The change of applicable Rule Book occurs as soon as the front of the train has passed the sign.
The codes used were:
- "BR" for British Rail
- "ET" for Eurotunnel
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[25.40] Rule Book Change Sign (e.g. from BR to Eurotunnel territory).
Area: Cheriton
Usage: Low
Status: Historical
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In January 1994, special restriction signs were installed at four sites on Birmingham's Cross-City Line (Midlands Zone) where rapid wheel and rail wear had been experienced. A triangular sign with an exclamation mark [25.41] denoted the start of each restriction, and a circular sign with a black diagonal band [25.42] marked the end. Both signs were based on ordinary road signs. Drivers of particular classes of multiple units were required to use a low power setting between the commencement and termination signs. These signs were removed in December 1999.
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[25.41] Special Restriction Commencement Sign.
Area: Cross-City Line
Usage: Low
Status: Historical
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[25.42] Special Restriction Termination Sign.
Area: Cross-City Line
Usage: Low
Status: Historical
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In March 1994, coasting boards applicable only to Class 321 electric multiple units were installed on the approaches to stations between Doncaster and Leeds, for use during trial runs. These boards had the figures "321" below a white diamond [25.43].
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[25.43] Coasting Board applicable only to Class 321 trains.
Area: Doncaster - Leeds
Usage: Medium
Status: Historical
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Since the mid-1990s, a new style of 'rear clear' (or 'end of restriction') marker has been installed at various locations to advise drivers when the rear of their train is clear of a specific position, such as a neutral section, conductor rail gap, or the end of a speed restriction. When this sign is passed, the driver may close the circuit breaker or accelerate, as appropriate. These 'rear clear' markers have a solid black triangle on a white circular background [25.44]. They may also bear a legend at the top, denoting the type of train or length of train to which they apply, or a reference to the related infrastructure feature [25.45].
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[25.44] 'Rear Clear' Marker.
Area: All Areas
Usage: Medium
Status: Current
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[25.45] 'Rear Clear' Marker (e.g. "TMST" for Transmanche Super Train).
Area: All Areas
Usage: High
Status: Current
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By 2003, new Rule Book Change signs were being installed with a white background [25.46] instead of the original black background (see [25.40]).
The following codes are used:
- "CCRRB" for CTRL Construction Railway Rule Book
- "CTRL" for Channel Tunnel Rail Link
- "ET" for Eurotunnel
- "NR" for Network Rail
- "RT" or "RTK" for Railtrack
- "TMD" for Temple Mills Depot
- "XR" for Crossrail
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[25.46] Rule Book Change Sign (e.g. from Railtrack to CTRL territory).
Area: Various
Usage: Medium
Status: Current
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The Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) was equipped with TVM cab signalling from the opening of its first stage in 2003. A feature of the TVM system is the provision of emergency replacement switches in groups at the lineside. These switches may be used for emergency purposes or for the protection of maintenance teams. When an emergency replacement switch is operated, a red cab indication will be received by any train inside the relevant area. Each group of emergency replacement switches is marked by a sign bearing a hollow red triangle on a white background [25.47], which in most cases will be found affixed to the post of a block marker (front and rear) (see [12.22]). This sign was first used on the high-speed lines in France.
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[25.47] Sign marking the position of a group of emergency replacement switches.
Area: CTRL
Usage: High
Status: Current
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Hot Axle Box Detectors (HABDs) are installed on running lines at certain locations. These sites are not normally marked by lineside signs; however, yellow triangular signs with the letters "HABD" [25.48] have been provided to denote the positions of two HABDs at Brentwood (East Anglia Zone), on the Down Main and Down Electric lines.
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[25.48] "HABD" Sign.
Area: Brentwood
Usage: Low
Status: Uncertain
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In July 2006, Rule Book Change signs in a diagonal format [25.49] (matching those in use in France) were provided at London St. Pancras.
The following codes were used:
- "CTRL" for Channel Tunnel Rail Link
- "NR" for Network Rail
These signs were replaced by the usual square pattern (see [25.46]) in March 2008.
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[25.49] Rule Book Change Sign (e.g. from CTRL to Network Rail territory).
Area: London St. Pancras
Usage: Low
Status: Historical
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In October 2007, a variant form of 'rear clear' marker (see [25.44]) was provided between the Down Through Siding and the Up Through Siding at Tyseley. This sign, which has no relevance to train drivers, has an inverted black triangle on a white circular background [25.50]. Its purpose is to assist the signalmen at Tyseley No. 1 signal box in observing that a train is not standing foul of the crossover points, as there are no track circuits.
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[25.50] 'Rear Clear' Sign.
Area: Tyseley
Usage: Low
Status: Uncertain
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Network Rail was encouraged by the government to develop procedures to enable passenger trains to be moved forward to stations past two or more failed signals during periods of significant disruption. Trials of "emergency special working", a modified form of temporary block working, commenced on the Wessex Route c.2012. Emergency special working can only be implemented on lines worked by the Track Circuit Block system, excluding single lines, and is applied between a signal on the approach to the affected area, which is maintained at 'danger', and a working signal at a suitable location at or beyond the affected area. This location must be clearly identifiable to drivers, for example a station or level crossing, and if necessary it will be marked by a temporary yellow sign bearing the letters "EW" with a red and white diagonal stripe superimposed [25.51]. Each driver is required to fill in a form in accordance with the signalman's instructions before proceeding through the affected area at reduced speed. The rules for emergency special working came into effect nationally in December 2018.
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[25.51] Emergency Special Working Termination Indicator.
Area: Wessex Route (subsequently All Areas)
Usage: Medium
Status: Current
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In connection with the reintroduction of Class 442 'Wessex Electric' units on the Wessex Route, 'no entry' signs were installed on certain approaches to Basingstoke station in December 2019. Because these trains were only prohibited from passing the Down Slow line platform, Platform 1, the signs exhibited the wording "prohibited through Platform 1" [25.52].
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[25.52] Train Class Specific 'No Entry' Sign with additional wording.
Area: Basingstoke
Usage: Low
Status: Historical
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The platform edges at underground stations on the Crossrail Central Operating Section are fitted with full-height platform screen doors for safety and passenger comfort reasons. The platform screen doors are opened and closed by the signalling system and synchronised with the doors of a train standing alongside. An indicator at the end of the platform enables drivers to confirm that the platform screen doors are closed before the train departs. The indicator displays the words "doors closed" in blue [25.53] when all the platform screen doors are closed, and is otherwise extinguished.
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[25.53] "Doors Closed" Indicator.
Area: Crossrail
Usage: Medium
Status: Current
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